20070917

Tokyo expands its empire

A mere four months after what New York magazine refers to as "a renegade band of Angel’s Share bartenders" opened B Flat, their own cocktail lounge in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood, they're expanding.

The growth spurt encompasses a stree-level cafe called Tokyo Bar, as opposed to the sub-sidewalk location of B Flat. The walls and ceilings of the cafe at 277 Church Street (212-966-2787) are decorated with Japanese comic art, and the menu is referred to as Japanese comfort food.

But what of the drinks, which is what these entrepreneurs specialize in?

Think sake, shochu (a sweet potato vodka) plus such things as roasted chestnut coffee and a lengthy cocktail menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic offerings (Safe Sex on the Beach is one of the latter).